Prague Trip November 2009

Today is hate to say this but it is so true TThursday.....yes Thursday morning....I just want to take this time to tell everyone that is reading this how amazing my life is and for so long I have wanted to be at this point....there are so many things I have done so wrong in my life that at some point I feel why am I so lucky? I know why....I do appreciate every morning I wake up in a different place and each morning I see something different... My life 4 years ago was so different... I never thought I would be where I am right now.....we all know that I have not been the greatest but I have found my life... the day my dear mother passed away she gave me the wings to experience everything I have thus far...I want it to go on record that I would not be doing what I am doing if it was not for Jeannie Burnham, my dearest mother.....she has guided me on my quest and is with me everyday...I never in my life would believe I would be typing on a computer and telling people that wants to read...about my travels.
My first trip to Europe was Greece, then Italy and the Netherlands.....In April I came to Prague I loved it so much I had to come back in November....I want to take this time and thank everyone of my friends....I remember the first time I came across the pond when I returned a very dear friend of mine says to me what are your goals for the next 5 years and I answered her with to travel the world....well guess what I have very much and if it was not for that one special person Annie I would stilll be in Paducah.....her and so many more have helped me. I know that I love the drink but I love my friends more.....I have found old very dear friends that were seperated back in my life....I love you Jay....I have friends that make me smile each time I hear that special ringtone....Christy....every time you call I et excited. Sorry I got so emotional but evry once in awhile we have totell the people that mean a lot to us ....I Love You...even if it is 5000 miles away or a bedroom door away....I want you all to know that I thank You for being my friend and thank you for putting up with my shit so much....I know that when I get drunk and call you from some place it is not because I am drunk it is because I want to share with you everyhing I am seeing and want o take you with me. If I ever became wealthy monetary wise, because I am wealthy in everyother way. I would take each and everyone of you on an adventure with me to share in a world we could experience together........Like I said I am so sorry to take a travel blog and be serious but,,,,,sometimes we need to thank the people that helped us to get to this point and to thank the people that put up with my shit I love you all.....Annie, Christy, Mother Duncan, Shawn, Jay and the list goes on..........

Well after a good nights rest I was up at 8am drinking Instant coffee I found in the cabinet in our apartment, the label was in German but I think it was coffee, tasted like it and it got me going. We left the apartment after Jay bundled up, and headed to the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. I was trying to be a true man and I thought I knew where I was going....I had been here before right? Wrong. I did get us to Wenceslas Square but after that we just circled and Circled. I knew I could find it......2 hours later. I think Jay was about to die he said "Why am I following you, you don't know where you are going"...I knew it just took me sometime after we watched the clock show which lasted aout 10 seconds....we decided to get something to eat....thus began our walking and searching again...trying to find that perfect restaraunt was going to be a challenge......but we finally went into one and order some traditional Czech Cuisine... I had Goulash of course with a very Cheesey Potato soup....It was good. Jay had a skewer of meat which was also good. After Lunch/Dinner due to it being around 3pm. We headed back to the apartment for some down time and to find a place on-line for a converter so we could use our American Electronic products....that began an intense 1hour of walking completely around the inner city and asking many questions looking. Jay was looking in Book Stores, hardware stores, we did go to a electronics store finally.....but they were sold out. At this point I thought Jay was going to die. When he went into a book store to check the travel section, I decided to go into a hotel and ask a lady at the front desk...and guess what she could speak English and gave us directions to another electronics store....that actually had one....and it works. I could hear Jay breathe a sigh of relief and he was back on cloud nine. So after this it was about 6pm and we headed back to the apartment to get plugged in and charged up. Jay decided to take a Disco Nap as I began to get ready for the long, very, very loong night ahead.....my favorite thing to do....go to the bars and be a part of the night life.........story about that to follow in next entry. Bacardi y Kousko prosim!!!!!

Well Wed. started off with very little sleep. I was so excited that the day was finally here that I just paced all day until it was time to go to the airport. I did repack a couple of times I think, but it made the time go by. We finally arrived at the airport and checked in very quickly, well that is because we flew out of Paducah, KY and we only have one gate there. Our flight from Paducah to Memphis was 38 minutes long so it wasn't too bad. When we arrived in Memphis we immediately ran to the "Blue Note Cafe" so we could raise our nicotine levels to almost overdose for the long flight ahead. Cough, Cough! When we arrived at our gate we were informed that our flight has delayed boarding for one hour, but we were asked not to leave the gate area because they would board as soon as possible. Our flight finally boarded at 7:45pm(CST) so we were only delayed by about 15 minutes. This is my favorite part the International flight. A lot of people dread this but I enjoy it because it gives me a chance to get caught up on all the current movies, by the way I reccommend "the Hangover", very funny. Our flight from Memphis to Amsterdam-Schipol was about 9 hours. I didn't really sleep because I just couldn't stop staring at that little screen in front of me and the in-flight map in the seat next to me. The flight was about a third full so we all basically had the seat next to us empty, Woo Hoo. We arrived at about 1130am (GMT + 1) and began our journey thru passport control and the entire Amsterdam airport due to the fact that our gate for departure to Prague was on the other side of the city, lol! One thing has changed at Amsterdam-Schipol the glass cages for smokers are gone, and this since April when I was there last. By the time we got to our gate the long two days of very little sleep was about to catch up with me. We board our flight to Prague at 2:30pm (GMT +1), and this flight was completely full. I was the luck one that had the noisey baby behind hime, Jay had her in front of him, but she did not keep me awake for long because I awake to a pain in my neck and drool on my cheek. The lady sitting next to me on this flight was a little scared and I think at one point she got airsick. We finally arrived at our destination at 4:05 pm. Ah Ah Prague. we claimed our bag fairly quickly and exited the area into the country of Czech Republic. We kept looking for my Name on a card being held by all the personal drivers and did not see it anywhere. After about an hour I started to panic because the transfer to our apartment had not yet arrived. I finally got ahold of Paul our driver and he was freaking out a little also because our flight information he had showed us arriving at 4:50pm. Well everything worked out and he arrived at about 5:20pm. On a side note, while we were waiting we had our first cig and It was like my first cig ever due to the fact I got very dizzy and felt a little drunk, I thought I was going to be sick, but it went away quickly. Paul, our driver and the guy who I rented the apartment from, arrived and was a very friendly English Chap. We loaded ALL of our many bags and we were off to our new home for the next 10 days. The drive was very nerve racking due to the fact that everyone in this country owns the road it was like a race weaving in and out of cars, traffic, and trams. It took about 1 hour to get to our apartment. It was raining a little bit dark, and cool. After Paul showed us around our new home he brought in 2 welcome beers and handed us the keys. The time when all was settled was about 7:30 pm, and I was very, very tired. Jay immediatelly began unpacking and ironing his clothes. I unpacked but forgo the ironing. I took a long hot shower and got into some comfortable shorts and a tshirt and began debating going out or going to bed. Jay went to the little pub downstairs from our apartment which is also owned by Paul, and I began to sway toward bed. Jay was back in a short time and also headed to bed, I finally feel asleep I guess about 9:45pm so I could be ready for our first day.

Well it is Tuesday November 10 and the countdown is almost over......why do I procrastinate on packing....and why do I have to take everything..lol. I have had 3 piles of folded clothes and they don't seem to be diminishing yet....I keep moving them from one pile named "Need to Take". So far it seems like everything is in that pile. I hope I can let go of a few things. Met with My friend Jay who is going with me and it seems that he is having the same problem. We are going to look like Susan Sugarbaker rolling up to the one gate of Paducah International Airport. Well our flight departs 24 hours from now and it is starting to hit me that yes we are leaving. We will arrive in Amsterdam first at 1120am on Thursday. We have a 3 hour layover but as most travelers know 2 hours will be spent in Customs. We depart Amsterdam at 230pm and arrive in Prague at 400pm, to a weather forecast of drizzle and temps around 45 °F. Jay is Cold natured so we will see how that goes......Just remember to take a trip with us to another world. Na shledanou.

Well it is Monday and having a wild weekend(losing a whole day, Sunday) it is 425pm and I haven't even started to pack for my flight on Wed afternoon. I'm getting excited but it will be more realistic come Thursday when we finally arrive in the Czech Republic. Charging my camera batteries and such, beginning to sort clothes, etc........I hope the weather holds out and it is not as cold as It looks like it is going to be......I will try and update my blog each and everyday...so keep reading and go on a trip with me the next couple of weeks.....Na Shledanou